With Ashour leading in the match by two games to one and 10 points to three in the fourth game, Gaultier dropped a ball to the front of the court. Ashour dived to retrieve, placing another front wall drop, but in Gaultier’s effort to reach the ball, slipped and sprained his right ankle. As the injury was self-inflicted he was only allowed three minutes injury time, which was insufficient, and the game was awarded to Ashour.
Meanwhile, Women’s World No. 1 Nicol David of Malaysia continued her dominating form to move into the Semi-final.
The venue for the Hong Kong Open changes now, with the Semi-finals and Finals taking place at the Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsim Sha Tsui, on the banks of Victoria Harbour.
